Dak Prescott Holds the Cards: Will the Cowboys Blink?
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has admitted that he doesn’t foresee a deal being struck with quarterback Dak Prescott before the season opener. But don’t hang up your hats just yet, folks! There’s still room for negotiations as the season unfolds. Ultimately, the decision lies squarely in Prescott’s hands.
The Leverage Game
Prescott wields a mighty weapon – the no-trade and no-tag clauses in his contract. These give him the edge, essentially holding all the aces in hand. As it stands, Prescott can opt to test the waters of free agency in March, igniting a frenzied bidding war for his talents.
Can the Cowboys Keep Prescott?
To lock him down before he hits the market, the Cowboys might have to dig deep into their pockets, offering somewhere north of $60 million annually. Yet even that lofty sum might not seal the deal.
When asked about the timing of an extension, Prescott kept his cards close to his chest.
“I think it says a lot if it is or isn’t [done],” Prescott shared, with a hint of indifference. “But that doesn’t really matter to me, to be honest with you.”
When pressed further about what it might signify if a deal isn’t done, Prescott quipped with a smile, “Just how people feel.” And when nudged to specify who “people” might be, he responded with a casual, “I don’t know.”
Playing the Long Game
Let’s not forget, Prescott has a track record of betting on himself. He held out through two intense years of negotiations before signing his four-year, $160 million contract, all while coming off a brutal ankle injury. That resilience is why he’s ready to play out his current deal if the Cowboys fail to deliver an offer that would make him the highest-paid player in NFL history.
The entire coaching staff, headed by Mike McCarthy, also finds themselves in the final year of their contracts. But Prescott sees this as another battle to embrace.
“I’m blessed to play this game,” Prescott said, reflecting on his journey so far. “I’m getting paid a lot of money to do it. I’ve already got paid. To get paid again, that’s just part of it. I’m due up for that whether it’s signing here or whether it’s somewhere else. It’s all part of it. For me, it’s about controlling what I can and being the best version of myself, best leader, and making sure all these guys here understand that we’re on a mission. It’s not about next year right now. It’s about Game 1 against the Browns.”
A Playoff Drought and the Jerry Jones Dilemma
Prescott’s playoff record is a sticking point for many. With only a 2-5 postseason record, fans are yearning for a deep playoff run, reminiscent of the Troy Aikman era. Heck, even Tony Romo’s 2-4 playoff record is haunting the halls of AT&T Stadium.
Jones, when asked about a long-term commitment to Prescott despite the playoff drought, put things into perspective.
“You could easily say, if you haven’t seen it by now, you haven’t seen it,” Jones mused. “I’m such a fan of Dak. I appreciate his work ethic probably more than anything. I can’t tell you how proud I am that we’ve got him this year to start this campaign. Dak’s situation, for me, has more to do with our situation than the merits of Dak Prescott being the quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys.”
Prescott’s Take on Jones
Prescott seems to have brushed off Jones’ public musings.
“Yeah, I understand that. That’s the business and the nature of this game that we play,” Prescott remarked. “I stopped, honestly, listening to things that he says to the media a long time ago. Doesn’t really hold weight with me.”
The season is quickly approaching, and the Cowboys’ front office, Prescott, and the fans find themselves on tenterhooks, waiting to see if Dallas will ante up to keep their star quarterback in the Lone Star State. The drama is just beginning, so grab your popcorn, folks – it’s going to be a wild ride!
